Most Thais want public referendum on new charter: Poll

BANGKOK, December 14 (TNA) – A majority of Thai people wants a public referendum to be organised for a new constitution which is currently being drafted, according to a latest survey released on Saturday. As many as 71.2 per cent of total respondents favored a referendum on the new charter, according to the survey conducted by Bangkok Poll on 1,206 people nationwide. 12.4 per cent of the respondents did not want a public referendum while 16.4 per cent were uncertain. Asked when it is appropriate to hold a general election, 54.4 per cent of the respondents said an election should be held after national reform in every sector is complete, while 26.3 per cent said it should be held in late 2015 and 7 per cent said it ought to be organised in early 2016. On the popularity of Thai politicians after the military takeover on May 22, the survey found that former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra of Pheu Thai Party popularity rose from September to 26.6 per cent while her predecessor Abhisit Vejjajiva of the Democrat Party also rose to 25.1 per cent. Despite the slight leading of Yingluck over Abhisit, the survey showed 27.4 per cent of respondents preferred to vote for the Democrat Party compared to 26.9 percent for the Pheu Thai Party. (TNA)